๐ค Jay's POV โ Thursday Evening
I dropped my file on the desk and leaned back.
โ
Exhausted didn't even begin to cover it.
โ
Monday to Thursday felt like a whole lifetime.
Meetings. Decisions. People. Pressure.
And somehowโI survived all of it.
โ
Percy still wasn't back.
London.
Handling deals like his life depended on it.
โ
Which meantโ
Everything here?
Me.
And Jass.
โ
I closed my eyes for a second.
Let out a slow breath.
โ
Okayโฆ maybe not everything.
But stillโ
Enough to drain my entire existence.
โ
I stretched slightly, rolling my shoulders.
"โฆI'm actually doing this," I muttered.
โ
Because I was.
โ
I understood things now.
Not everything.
But enough.
Enough to speak.
Enough to not look lost.
Enough toโฆ belong.
โ
A small smile formed.
"โฆsuccessful business woman," I whispered to myself.
Then immediatelyโ
"Hehe."
โ
Okay maybe a slightly dramatic one.
โ
Still.
I did good.
โ
And tomorrowโ
Prom.
โ
My smile dropped.
โ
"โฆI need a dress."
โ
A proper one.
Not something random.
Not something basic.
โ
Something that fits this version of me.
โ
And thenโ
Jason.
โ
I scoffed lightly.
"He definitely needs help."
โ
Because if he shows up in something boringโ
I will personally disown him.
โ
Even if this whole thing is fake.
โ
โฆespecially because it's fake.
โ
The door suddenly opened.
โ
Speak of the devil.
โ
"Hey, darling," Jass walked in casually.
โ
I didn't even look up.
"Go away."
โ
"Let's go."
โ
That made me look up.
"โฆWhere?"
โ
He smirked.
"Prom shopping."
โ
I blinked.
โ
Oh.
โ
"You should look human standing next to me," he added. "You knowโฆ I have public value."
โ
I stared at him.
โ
"โฆOh please shut up, Jass."
โ
He placed a hand on his chest like I hurt him.
"You wound me."
โ
"You? Public value?" I scoffed. "I'm more concerned about the fact that you're my partner."
โ
I stood up, grabbing my bag.
"Like reallyโฆ looks like my downfall."
โ
He grinned.
"Your biggest upgrade."
โ
"In your dreams."
โ
He stepped closer slightly.
"Already living it."
โ
I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain.
"God, you're insufferable."
โ
"And yet," he said smoothly, "you're going dress shopping with me."
โ
I pointed a finger at him.
"Because I don't trust your fashion sense."
โ
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
โ
He shook his head, amused.
"Come on. I'll handle the rest of the work."
โ
I paused.
"โฆReally?"
โ
He nodded.
"Already did most of it."
โ
I narrowed my eyes.
"Show off."
โ
"Efficient."
โ
I grabbed my phone.
"Fine. Let's go before I change my mind."
โ
And just like thatโ
We walked out.
โ
๐ข Office โ Corridor Chaos
The moment we stepped outโ
Employees everywhere.
โ
"Good evening, ma'am."
"Good evening, Miss Mariano."
"Good evening, sir."
โ
I nodded slightly.
Still not fully used to it.
โ
Jass?
Unbothered.
Of course.
โ
We walked side by side.
โ
Thenโ
He suddenly leaned slightly toward me.
"Walk properly."
โ
I frowned. "I am walking properly."
โ
"You're dragging your feet."
"I'm tired."
"Fix it."
โ
I stopped walking.
Turned to him.
"Fix yourself."
โ
He smirked.
"Attitude."
โ
"Always."
โ
People around us tried very hard not to stare.
โ
Failed.
โ
I continued walking.
โ
He matched my pace again.
Close.
Too close.
โ
"Also," he added casually, "don't embarrass me tomorrow."
โ
I gasped.
"ME??"
โ
"Yes."
โ
"I am the highlight, excuse you."
โ
"You're a risk."
โ
"I'm your risk."
โ
He paused for half a second.
โ
Then smiled.
"โฆFair."
โ
Why did that feel like a win?
โ
๐ถโโ๏ธ Elevator
We stepped in.
โ
I leaned back against the wall immediately.
โ
He pressed the button.
โ
Silence for two seconds.
โ
Thenโ
"You're actually excited," he said.
โ
"I'm not."
โ
"You are."
โ
"I'm not."
โ
"Your face says otherwise."
โ
I immediately fixed my expression.
"It does not."
โ
He chuckled.
โ
And I hated that he was right.
โ
Because maybeโ
Just a littleโ
โ
I was.
โ
๐ Parking Area Chaos
We reached the parking.
โ
I walked straight to the car.
Opened the passenger seat.
Sat.
โ
Jass stood there.
Not moving.
โ
I looked up.
"โฆWhat?"
โ
He crossed his arms.
"Say it."
โ
"โฆSay what?"
โ
"You know what."
โ
I stared at him.
Then realized.
โ
"โฆOh my god."
โ
"Say it."
โ
I groaned.
"Drive, Jass."
โ
He didn't move.
โ
I clenched my jaw.
"Please."
โ
A pause.
โ
Thenโ
That smirk.
โ
"Good enough."
โ
He got in.
โ
I rolled my eyes.
"Drama king."
โ
"Respect."
โ
"Overconfidence."
โ
"Accurate."
โ
He started the car.
โ
And as we drove outโ
โ
I looked out the window.
โ
Tired.
Yes.
โ
Exhausted.
Definitely.
โ
But alsoโ
โ
Something else.
โ
Tomorrow.
Prom.
Dress.
Him.
โ
Chaos.
โ
And somehowโ
โ
I wasn't dreading it.
โ
That alone was suspicious.
๐ค Jay's POV โ Evening
It was evening.
The kind that feltโฆ calm.
โ
Cold breeze brushing against my skin.
Grey clouds stretching across the sky.
The air soft.
Quiet.
โ
For onceโ
My mind wasn't racing.
โ
We stopped.
โ
In front of a place that didn't even look like a shop.
โ
It wasโฆ huge.
Glass walls. Golden lights. Tall doors.
More like a luxury showroom than anything else.
โ
People outside immediately stepped forward.
"Good evening, sir."
"Good evening, ma'am."
โ
Jass handed over the car keys casually.
"Take care of it."
โ
Of course.
โ
I stepped out.
Looked up at the building.
โ
"โฆThis is a shop?"
โ
He smirked.
"Try to keep up, darling."
โ
I rolled my eyes.
But stillโ
I walked in.
โ
And froze.
โ
The ground floor was massive.
Filled with mannequins.
โ
Rows and rows of them.
โ
Each one dressed perfectly.
โ
Elegant gowns.
Short party dresses.
Flowy silhouettes.
Structured designs.
โ
Some shimmered under the lights.
Some were soft and minimal.
Some bold. Dramatic.
โ
Colors everywhere.
Red. Black. Silver. Gold.
Pastels. Neutrals.
Everything.
โ
And thenโ
Wedding dresses.
โ
White.
Ivory.
Detailed.
Heavy.
โ
Lace.
Beads.
Long trails flowing behind.
โ
For a secondโ
I just stood there.
โ
This wasn't normal.
โ
This wasโฆ something else.
โ
Thenโ
Male mannequins.
โ
Sharp suits.
Perfectly tailored.
Clean lines.
โ
Black tuxedos.
Navy suits.
Grey three-pieces.
โ
Everything lookedโฆ expensive.
โ
And perfect.
โ
I folded my arms slightly.
"โฆOkay."
โ
Jass leaned closer.
"Impressed?"
โ
"Don't get used to it."
โ
He chuckled.
โ
We moved toward the lift.
โ
Entered.
โ
He pressed 12.
โ
Of course.
โ
The elevator moved smoothly.
โ
My reflection stared back at me in the mirror.
โ
Work. Exhaustion. And now this.
โ
Life really doesn't slow down.
โ
Ding.
โ
Doors opened.
โ
Andโ
โ
This floor?
Even crazier.
โ
All female.
All dresses.
โ
Prom dresses everywhere.
โ
Mannequins standing like models.
โ
Long gowns.
Short fitted dresses.
Sparkles. Satin. Silk.
โ
Two mannequins stood apartโ
Wearing wedding dresses.
Even more detailed than downstairs.
โ
The lighting softer here.
Warmer.
โ
"Good evening, ma'am," staff greeted instantly.
โ
We were guided.
โ
Straight to a VIP area.
โ
Of course.
โ
They brought dresses.
One after another.
โ
And I tried them.
โ
First one.
No.
โ
Second.
No.
โ
Third.
Absolutely not.
โ
Jass?
Sitting there.
Judging.
โ
"No."
"Next."
"Too loud."
"Too simple."
โ
I glared at him.
"Are you ever satisfied?"
โ
"No."
โ
"Of course."
โ
But honestlyโ
โ
I didn't like them either.
โ
Something was off in all of them.
โ
Too much.
Too less.
Tooโฆ not me.
โ
After what felt like foreverโ
โ
They brought another one.
โ
Dark blue.
Satin.
โ
Long.
Flowing.
โ
I looked at it for a second.
โ
"โฆOkay."
โ
I went in.
Changed.
โ
And when I stepped outโ
โ
Silence.
โ
The dress hugged perfectly.
โ
The satin fabric smooth against my skin.
Falling naturally.
โ
It fit my waist.
Defined it.
โ
The length longโ
Touching the floor softly.
โ
Elegant.
Not too loud.
โ
Just right.
โ
I looked up.
โ
Jassโ
โ
Was staring.
โ
Actually staring.
โ
His mouth slightly open.
โ
I raised an eyebrow.
"โฆClose your mouth."
โ
He didn't.
โ
Thenโ
"Wow."
โ
I blinked.
โ
"That's new."
โ
He stood up slowly.
Walked closer.
โ
"Now this," he said, looking at me properly, "is what I was waiting for."
โ
I crossed my arms slightly.
"โฆReally?"
โ
"Yeah," he said, voice lower now. "You lookโ"
โ
A pause.
โ
"Dangerous."
โ
My heart skipped.
โ
Annoying.
โ
"And beautiful," he added casually.
โ
I looked away immediately.
"Don't start."
โ
"I'm serious."
โ
I rolled my eyes.
"โฆWe're taking this one."
โ
"Obviously."
โ
I went back to change.
โ
When I came outโ
We finalized it.
โ
Done.
โ
But thenโ
โ
The door opened.
โ
And I saw them.
โ
Keifer.
And Luna.
โ
My expression stilled.
โ
Luna immediately moved closer to him.
Almost clinging.
โ
Her hand on his arm.
Her voice soft.
Too soft.
โ
Something twisted in my chest.
โ
I looked away.
โ
Didn't react.
โ
Didn't care.
โ
At leastโ
That's what I told myself.
โ
But my fingers curled slightly.
โ
Luna started picking dresses.
Showing him.
โ
And heโ
Stayed with her.
โ
Close.
โ
Watching.
โ
Helping.
โ
I hated that.
โ
More than I should.
โ
I turned away.
โ
My dress was being fitted.
โ
So I waited.
โ
Minutes passed.
โ
Then finallyโ
They handed it to me.
Packed.
โ
"Thank you, ma'am."
โ
I nodded.
โ
We turned to leave.
โ
Walking outโ
โ
And suddenlyโ
My foot slipped.
โ
"โ"
โ
Before I could fallโ
โ
A hand caught me.
โ
Strong.
Firm.
โ
I froze.
โ
Keifer.
โ
My breath caught for a second.
โ
Too close.
โ
The bag shifted slightlyโ
The dress inside slipping out just a little.
โ
Dark blue.
โ
His eyes flicked to it.
โ
Noticed.
โ
Of course he did.
โ
For a secondโ
Neither of us moved.
โ
Thenโ
I pulled away.
Quickly.
โ
"Thanks," I said flatly.
โ
And walked.
โ
Didn't look back.
โ
Didn't stop.
โ
Jass followed.
โ
And we left.
โ
But my heartโ
Wasn't steady anymore.
โ
We reached another floor.
โ
Nowโ
His turn.
โ
Men's section.
โ
Sharp.
Clean.
Luxury suits displayed perfectly.
โ
Jass walked in like he owned it.
โ
Of course.
โ
Staff immediately surrounded him.
โ
"Sir, this way."
โ
They brought options.
โ
Black tux.
Navy.
Charcoal grey.
โ
He tried one.
โ
Perfect fit.
โ
Of course.
โ
I leaned against the wall.
Watching.
โ
"Not bad," I said.
โ
He adjusted his sleeve.
"Not bad?"
โ
"Okayโฆ good."
โ
"Better."
โ
He stepped closer.
"Match me properly tomorrow."
โ
I rolled my eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll outshine you."
โ
He smirked.
"Impossible."
โ
We finalized his suit.
โ
And walked out.
โ
Together.
โ
But this timeโ
โ
The air felt different.
โ
Because somewhereโ
Between dressesโฆ
Between glancesโฆ
Between that momentโ
โ
Something shifted.
โ
And I wasn't sure I liked it.
๐ค Keifer's POV
Okayโฆ I don't like Luna.
Not even a little.
โ
And it's not just because she's irritating.
โ
It's because she's alwaysโ
Trying.
โ
Trying to match Jay.
Trying to outdo her.
Trying to be something she's not.
โ
And that?
โ
Annoys me more than anything.
โ
Because there is no comparison.
โ
There never was.
โ
Jay doesn't try.
She just is.
โ
And Luna?
โ
She tries too hard.
โ
But stillโ
I needed a partner for tomorrow.
Prom.
โ
And Luna wasโฆ
Convenient.
โ
Always free.
Always available.
โ
So I picked her.
โ
Of courseโ
She had a condition.
โ
"I want my dress from the most expensive store in the city."
โ
And not just thatโ
"You're coming with me."
โ
I should've said no.
โ
But I didn't.
โ
So here we are.
โ
The moment we stepped into the women's sectionโ
โ
I saw her.
โ
Jay.
โ
Standing there.
โ
And him.
โ
Jason.
โ
My jaw clenched instantly.
โ
Of course she's with him.
โ
Of course.
โ
But thenโ
Something didn't make sense.
โ
This place?
โ
It's not normal.
โ
It's expensive.
Too expensive.
โ
Jay never liked things like this.
Never accepted expensive gifts.
โ
Not even from me.
โ
Not even when things wereโฆ
โ
Different.
โ
So why now?
โ
Why is she here?
โ
With him?
โ
My eyes darkened slightly.
โ
Did she change?
โ
No.
โ
Jay doesn't change like that.
โ
Something's off.
โ
But I'll figure that out later.
โ
Because right nowโ
โ
All I could seeโ
Was him standing next to her.
โ
Too close.
โ
Like he belonged there.
โ
I clenched my jaw.
โ
Don't worry.
โ
When the time comesโ
โ
I'll take her back.
โ
"She'll be mine again."
โ
"Keifer, look at this one!" Luna's voice cut through.
โ
I glanced at her.
โ
She was already holding a dress.
โ
Then another.
โ
Then another.
โ
"Which one do you like?"
โ
"I don't care," I said flatly.
โ
She frowned.
"What do you mean you don't care?"
โ
"I said it's fine."
โ
Because I wasn't looking at her.
โ
I was watching Jay.
โ
She wasn't trying dresses anymore.
โ
She was sitting.
Waiting.
โ
Staff around her.
Handling something.
โ
Fitting.
โ
So she already chose one.
โ
My eyes narrowed slightly.
โ
What did she pick?
โ
What does she look like in it?
โ
I didn't see.
โ
And that annoyed me more than it should.
โ
Because I wanted to.
โ
"Keifer, focus," Luna said again, slightly irritated now.
โ
I exhaled slowly.
Forced my attention back.
โ
"Pick anything," I said.
โ
She huffed.
"Wow. So helpful."
โ
I ignored her.
โ
Because every few secondsโ
My eyes went back to Jay.
โ
She looked tired.
โ
Even from here.
โ
Slightly leaning back.
Quiet.
โ
Not like before.
โ
Something about thatโ
Didn't sit right.
โ
Thenโ
Movement.
โ
She stood up.
โ
The staff handed her a bag.
โ
Her dress.
โ
Packed.
โ
So that's it.
โ
She's leaving.
โ
I watched her walk.
โ
Calm.
Controlled.
โ
Like she always does now.
โ
And thenโ
โ
Her foot slipped.
โ
It happened fast.
โ
Too fast.
โ
Before she could fallโ
โ
I moved.
โ
Instinct.
โ
I caught her.
โ
My hand around her waist.
โ
Pulling her steady.
โ
She froze.
โ
So did I.
โ
For a secondโ
โ
Everything stopped.
โ
She was right there.
โ
Close.
โ
Familiar.
โ
My grip tightened slightly.
โ
Thenโ
โ
The bag shifted.
โ
The dress slipped out just a little.
โ
Dark blue.
โ
That's all I saw.
โ
But that was enough.
โ
I registered it instantly.
โ
She pulled away quickly.
โ
"Thanks."
โ
Flat.
Cold.
โ
No eye contact.
โ
Nothing.
โ
And thenโ
She walked away.
โ
With him.
โ
Again.
โ
I stood there.
โ
Still.
โ
Jaw clenched.
โ
Not even a second.
Not even a proper look.
Like that moment didn't matter.
Like I didn't matter.
โฆGood. Keep pretending.
โ
"Keifer?" Luna called.
โ
I blinked.
โ
Right.
โ
This.
โ
She finally picked her dress.
โ
I paid.
Didn't check.
Didn't care.
โ
My mind was somewhere else.
โ
Dark blue.
โ
That's what she's wearing tomorrow.
โ
Fine.
โ
Then I'll match.
โ
Obviously.
โ
Because no one else will.
โ
We moved to the men's section.
โ
Luna followed.
Still talking.
โ
"I'll help you choose," she said.
โ
She picked a suit.
โ
Bright.
Too loud.
Too much.
โ
I looked at it once.
โ
"No."
โ
She frowned. "What? It looks good."
โ
"It doesn't."
โ
"I have great tasteโ"
โ
"No," I cut her off.
โ
Because I already knew.
โ
What I wanted.
โ
Something sharp.
Clean.
Controlled.
โ
Something that matchesโ
โ
Her.
โ
Not Luna.
โ
Never Luna.
โ
Because tomorrowโ
โ
I'm not showing up for the prom.
โ
I'm showing upโ
โ
For Jay.
"I'm done."
โ
Luna blinked. "What?"
โ
"I said I'm done," I repeated, already turning away. "You got your dress. Go home."
โ
Her brows furrowed. "Waitโwhat? You're not even done yet."
โ
"I will be."
โ
"With me," she added quickly, stepping closer. "I'm supposed to help youโ"
โ
"No."
โ
Flat.
Final.
โ
She stared at me, clearly not liking that.
"Keifer, seriouslyโ"
โ
"I don't need help," I cut her off. "Driver will drop you."
โ
A pause.
โ
Then a small huff.
Annoyed.
โ
"Fine," she muttered. "Do whatever you want."
โ
I didn't respond.
โ
Didn't even look at her as she walked off.
โ
The moment she was goneโ
โ
Silence.
โ
Better.
โ
Much better.
โ
I turned to the staff.
โ
"Show me your navy suits."
โ
They straightened immediately.
"Of course, sir."
โ
Navy.
โ
Dark blue.
โ
The same shade I saw.
โ
The same one she's wearing tomorrow.
โ
They brought options.
โ
One after another.
โ
Sharp cuts.
Different fabrics.
Different fits.
โ
I took the first one.
โ
Changed.
โ
Stepped out.
โ
"Too loose," I said.
โ
Next.
โ
Second one.
โ
Better.
But not perfect.
โ
"No."
โ
Third.
โ
The fabric felt right.
โ
The fitโ
Close.
โ
I looked at myself in the mirror.
โ
Adjusted the collar.
The sleeves.
โ
Stillโ
Something missing.
โ
"Next."
โ
They brought another.
โ
This oneโ
The moment I wore itโ
โ
I knew.
โ
Perfect fit.
โ
Tailored exactly.
โ
The jacket sitting clean on my shoulders.
The waist fitted just right.
โ
Sharp.
Controlled.
โ
The navy shadeโ
Deep.
Rich.
โ
I stepped out.
โ
The staff immediately reacted.
"Sir, that looks excellent."
โ
I didn't answer.
โ
I looked at the mirror.
โ
Took a step closer.
โ
Studied it.
โ
Thisโ
โ
This works.
โ
Because I already know how it's going to look.
โ
Her.
In dark blue.
โ
Me.
Matching.
โ
Standing next to her.
โ
Like it's supposed to be.
โ
A slow smirk formed.
โ
"Pack this."
โ
"Yes, sir."
โ
I adjusted my cuff one last time.
โ
Then turned.
โ
Walking out.
โ
Because tomorrowโ
โ
I'm not just showing up.
โ
I'm making sureโ
โ
She notices.
A/N : Next chapter is gonna be a ๐ฃ ๐ฅ
Be ready guyss๐๐
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